title: [Prevalence of MRSA infections in patients on hemodialysis].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) in haemodialysis patients has increased dramatically during recent years. The aim of our study is to determine the prevalence of MRSA colonization among haemodialysis patients and medical staff.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study included 235 patients undergoing haemodialysis therapy and 60 medical staff members, in the Center for Haemodialysis Sarajevo. Nasal and throat samples were taken (identification of MRSA was performed using standard microbiological methods). A total of 474 nasal and throat cultures from patients' samples and 120 cultures from medical staff samples were obtained.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The total number of sampled patients was 235 and colonies were found in 36 of the samples (15.3%). Among medical staff nasal carriage rate of MRSA was 11.6% (7/60). The mean age of haemodialysis patients with MRSA was 52.94:1:5.3. The patients aged between 55 and 64 had the highest prevalence of MRSA (11/36, 30.55%). Those aged 45-54 had the next highest prevalence of nasal carriage (10/36, 27.77%). Patients aged 65 years had middle prevalence of MRSA (6/36, 8.33%). Patients aged 25-34 had the lowest prevalence of nasal carriage. We did not have possibilities to isolate MRSA positive dialysis patients, and we used intensive antibacterial prophylaxis. We treated our patients with mupirocin ointment (three times a day for 5-14 days) and gained decolonization in 34 patients (94.4%). In the treatment period, positive medical staff did not come to work.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The overall prevalence of MRSA colonization in our dialysis patients was higher (15.3%). Implementation of adequate strategies for prevention of MRSA with application of mupirocin among carriers, reduced prevalence of MRSA in our dialysis units.
authors.affiliation: Centar za hemodijalizu, Klinicki centar Univerziteta, Sarajevo. resickcs@bih.net.ba
authors.forename: Halima
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Resić
authors.forename: Aida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Corić
authors.forename: Amela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dedeić-Ljubović
authors.forename: Mirsada
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hukić
authors.forename: Emir
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Avdić
authors.forename: Nihad
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kukavica
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006436:Hemodialysis Units, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008503:Medical Staff; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000382:microbiology; D010614:Pharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D015995:Prevalence; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification